Brittany and Winnie

  1. The exploitation of African oil resources by non-African nations.
  2. Measures to prevent human trafficking.
  3. Measures towards alleviating the socio-economic difficulties encountered in areas of endemic Cholera.
  4. The question of debt-relief for Madagascar.





Forum of: ECOSOC 1
Questioning of: The question of debt-relief for Madagascar
Delegation: Madagascar
Delegate: Brittany Z.
School: SAS Pudong

Honorable chair, fellow delegates, and distinguished guests,
The country Madagascar recognizes the importance of stopping the exploitation of African resources by non-African countries, bringing a halt to human trafficking, and alleviating the socio-economic difficulties encountered in areas of endemic cholera. However the delegate of Madagascar would like to focus on debt-relief for Madagascar.

It is extremely clear to our country that we must receive debt-relief soon. Without it, it is possible that Madagascar will fall apart completely. There is a chance that Madagascar might be able to revive itself, but a lot of money will be needed to recover Madagascar from its economic downfall and its current political crisis.
We hope that we can find a solution to Madagascar’s’ problems and secure aid for our country at this conference.
The delegate of Madagascar is looking forward to hearing and debating on this and other issues. Thank you.

Brittany's RD Opening Speech


Brittany's Topic Paragraphs


Forum: ECOSOC 1
Topic: "The question of debt-relief to Madagascar"
Main Submitter: Madagascar

The ECOSOC 1 Council,

Acknowledging the fact that Madagascar owes over 2 billion dollars in debt,

Bearing in mind that the International Momentary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have paid over half of Madagascar's debt in 2004,

Noting with regret that the G-7 has failed to give debt-relief to Madagascar,

Reminding the world that Madagascar is a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC),

Deeply concerned that without proper debt-relief, Madagascar's economy will collapse,

Congratulates the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for offering debt-for-nature swaps (paying money to not destroy the environment) swaps,

1.) Encourages the G-7 to give debt-relief or debt-forgiveness to Madagascar, and to other HIPCs;

2.) Strongly urges the UN to send in help to stop the riots and rebellions in Madagascar;

3.) Requests other countries to support and help Madagascar and its people in its time of need;

4.) Asks the WWF to keep on offering debt-for-nature swaps;

5.) Expresses its hope that Madagascar and other HIPCs will be able to significantly reduce their debt, allowing them the chance for economic growth and stability.

Winnie's resolution:

ECOSOC 1
Sponsor: USA

Topic: "Measures towards alleviating the socio-economic difficulties encountered in areas of endemic Cholera."

The ECOSOC,

Noting that Cholera in Zimbabwe has killed over 5,000 and infected over 90,000 to 100,000 people due to low hygiene and sanitation,

Emphasizing the fact that the Cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe was strongly preventable,

Noting further that this outbreak has been the deadliest in 15 years in Africa,

Believing that the UN member states can help stop the spreading of cholera in Zimbabwe by strengthening the response to it and also providing more supplies,


1. Expresses its hope for a change in the government's policies to deal with the Cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe;

2. Asks WHO to determine what additional suport can be sent in the near future, so that the outbreak that's out of control can quicklu get help and support;

3. Encouraging the UN member states to help Zimbabwe due o symptomatic outbreak of Cholera;

4. Also encourages the UN member states to deliver more medical aid to treat and ease the suffering of cholera patients;

5. Calls upon quick action to resolve the socio-economic difficulties on Cholera encountered in Zimbabwe.

```Forum
Forum of: ECOSOC 1
Question of: Measures towards alleviation the socio-economic difficulties encountered in areas of endemic Cholera.
Delegation: US
Delegate: Winnie
School: SAS Pudong


Honorable chair, fellow delegates and distinguished guests:
The delegation of the United States realizes the importance of all the following issues:
The exploitation of African oil resources by non-African nations, measures to prevent human trafficking, measures towards alleviating the socio-economic difficulties encountered in areas of endemic Cholera and the question of debt-relief for Madagascar. Yet, the delegate of United States believes that alleviating areas of endemic Cholera is the most crucial issue right now. The problem of cholera around the world has killed millions of people each year. The shocking number of people and the cholera outbreak this year in Zimbabwe led to the awareness of putting a stop towards Cholera. The delegate of United States is looking forward to hearing and debating about other delegates’ opinions on this and other issues. Thank you.


Winnie
Country: US
Committee: ECOSOC 1
Issue: The exploitation of African oil resources by non-African nations.

What is the problem? How does it affect your country?

Africa is a country that invests money by the rich oil they have. It’s also one of the deprived, underprivileged and poor countries of the world. Since Africa has many oil fields, other countries with no oil resources have the urge to take full benefits from the poor security level caused by poverty, and frankly steel the oil from Africa. My country, the US, is fairly concerned about the fact that oil from Africa is becoming unsecured. This is mainly because the US imports two thirds of the oil they need, and about 15% of that amount comes from West Africa. What’s more important is that this amount is projected to rise to 25% in the next 10 years.

What has your country done to combat the problem?

The US military may eventually increase its presence in African oil regions to secure its oil supplies. The region in Africa called Sao Tome has big oil reserves, and has invited the US Navy to build a port from which to patrol the Gulf of Guinea.

What are the various “sides” in the debate?

Some analysts say that investing in African oil reserves will not solve all America’s energy problems. / The recent strikes in Nigeria prove that Africa still has its own problems. / Some officials in Washington see African oil as crucially important to the US.

Which aspects of the issue are most important to your country?

The fact that oil in Africa is becoming unsecured against other countries caused the US to bring up awareness and start planning preventions in order to maintain the oil fields.

If your country is not involved with the issue, how can it become
involved?

(My country is already involved with this issue.)

How will your country shape the debate at the conference?

Since the US had come up with various security plans for this issue, most likely, the topic that would be shaped in the debate might be on how to gather the military and how to actually meet the needs to help sustain the rich oil fields in Africa.

What arguments will other countries make?

According to the various “sides” in the debate on this issue, I could tell that other countries probably might think it’s unnecessary to help Africa especially when a lot of their own things are happening in their countries not just only the US. They might think that the US could still get oil from other countries and their rich recourses and still have enough.

How do the positions of other countries affect your country’s position?

Other countries have different positions and states than the US. Some are poorer and some are richer. If other countries are poorer, they might say that they need more oil than we do. If richer, then they might not even care about the US, they are independent and can do whatever they want. They don’t need to help other countries if they problems and issues of their own.

Is there evidence or statistics that might help to back up your country’s position?


The Percent Increase of US crude oil imports from selected African Countries, 2005-2006:
Algeria: 57%
Angola: 34%
Chad: 4.4%
Libya: 52%
The statistic above suggests that the US crude oil imports from African countries are increasing quite a bit over time. Even thought this is only 2005 to 2006, 10 years from now (2009), 25% will be risen from the total oil my country needs. This means that obviously during the 3 years (from 2006 to 2009), the percentage was increasing the whole time.

Sites used:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3054948.stm
http://www.energytribune.com/live_images/africa_graph_0407.gif


Issue: Measures to prevent human trafficking.

What is the problem? How does it affect your country?

It is estimated that between 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked every year. About half of these populations are ethnic minorities or displaced people (people with no home). Also, in the whole population, women are the most vulnerable to sex exploitation. Orphans and children from impoverished families are often sold to traffickers. They are either forced to be prostitutes or child soldiers. This issue has been spread over all 50 states in the US, not just impoverished countries.

What has your country done to combat the problem?

The US government supports a victim-centered approach. It funds a national public awareness campaign and a number of NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) that helps victims. The government follows human trafficking cases and prosecutes the traffickers.

What are the various “sides” in the debate?





Which aspects of the issue are most important to your country?





If your country is not involved with the issue, how can it become
involved?





How will your country shape the debate at the conference?





What arguments will other countries make?




How do the positions of other countries affect your country’s position?

Is there evidence or statistics that might help to back up your country’s position?


Sites used:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/factsheet.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2983222.stm




Issue: The question of debt-relief for Madagascar
What is the problem? How does it affect your country?
What has your country done to combat the problem?
What are the various “sides” in the debate?
Which aspects of the issue are most important to your country?
If your country is not involved with the issue, how can it become
involved?
How will your country shape the debate at the conference?
What arguments will other countries make?
How do the positions of other countries affect your country’s position?
Is there evidence or statistics that might help to back up your country’s position?